Flexible Transparent LCD Using Bi-Stable PDLC Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for manufacturing flexible transparent liquid crystal displays face inefficiencies in preparing flexible substrates and result in low light transmissivity and picture contrast, limiting their quality compared to traditional displays.

Innovation Solution

A flexible transparent liquid crystal display is created using a first flexible substrate with a common electrode layer and a second flexible substrate with pixel electrodes and thin film field effect transistors, with bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers formed between them, eliminating the need for a color filter substrate to enhance light transmissivity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If flexible substrates are used to manufacture transparent liquid crystal displays, then flexibility and impact resistance are improved, but light transmissivity and picture contrast deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidlight transmissivity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the color filter substrate from the traditional liquid crystal display structure. By eliminating this component that absorbs light, the display achieves high light transmissivity while maintaining flexibility through the use of flexible substrates and bi-stable state PDLC layers for color presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layers as a composite material that combines the flexibility of polymer materials with the optical properties of liquid crystals. This composite structure enables both flexibility and high light transmissivity while providing color display capabilities without requiring traditional color filter substrates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If flexible substrates are used to manufacture transparent liquid crystal displays, then flexibility and impact resistance are improved, but picture contrast deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidpicture contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using bi-stable state PDLC layers with specific optical properties in the liquid crystal layer position. These layers provide high contrast ratios locally within the display structure, compensating for the potential contrast reduction from using flexible substrates, while maintaining overall flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bi-stable state PDLC layers serve as composite materials that integrate the benefits of flexible polymer matrices with the high-contrast optical properties of liquid crystal droplets. This composite approach enables the display to achieve both flexibility and high picture contrast simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If traditional manufacturing techniques are used for flexible substrates, then flexibility is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the manufacturing process by separately preparing the flexible substrates with electrode layers and the bi-stable state PDLC layers, then assembling them together. This segmentation allows for optimized production of each component and simplifies the overall manufacturing process, improving efficiency while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-preparing the flexible substrates with electrode layers and the bi-stable state PDLC layers separately before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of components enables more efficient manufacturing and quality control, reducing the complexity of the overall production process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the manufacturing process, increases light transmissivity, and ensures flexibility, allowing for a liquid crystal display that retains transparency and improves image quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is provided between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer may comprise smectic phase liquid crystal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Data Source

PatentUS9207485B2Flexible transparent liquid crystal display and method for preparing same

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a flexible transparent liquid crystal display (10) comprises a first flexible substrate (101) provided with a common electrode layer (102); a second flexible substrate (105) provided with an array of pixel electrodes (103) and thin film field effect transistors (104); wherein at least one bi-stable state polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer (106) is provided between the first flexible substrate (104) and the second flexible substrate (105). There is also provided a method for preparing the same, which can increase the efficiency of the process for preparing the flexible transparent liquid crystal display.